Elbow Valley
Near Paddy's Flat · Elbow River Provincial Recreation Area
Trail score 57 out of 100, from popularity, scenery and trail quality
About this trail
Elbow Valley is a 10.0 km point to point trail near Paddy's Flat in Elbow River Provincial Recreation Area. The route gains 432 m in total and tops out at 1,631 m. Hike Alberta rates it moderate. Allow about 3 hours 30 minutes of moving time. It meets Sulphur Springs Trail at 5.8 km, and passes many other mapped junctions. Also used for trail running, mountain biking and horseback riding.
- Length
- 10.0km
- Elevation gain
- 432m
- Estimated time
- 3h30min
- Moving time
- Route
- Point to point
- Highest point
- 1,631m
- Lowest point
- 1,433m
Elevation profile
1,433 m to 1,631 mHighest point 1,631 m, lowest 1,433 m, 432 m of climbing in total. Steepest sustained grade about 23% over 100 m.
Predicted coverage: 100% of route
0% LTE · 100% 5G
- Longest modelled gap
- 0.0 km
- Model
- 2024 · Natural Resources Canada
Predicted coverage is not guaranteed. It varies by carrier, terrain, weather, device and network load, and it does not guarantee emergency service.
Good for
- Hiking, Trail running, Mountain biking, Horseback riding, Snowshoeing
- Dog friendly (on leash)
Rankings
Trailhead
The trail starts at 50.8949° N, 114.7062° W.
Kananaskis Conservation Pass
Vehicle pass required when parking
Pass details
Vehicles parked at provincial park and public land sites in Kananaskis Country and the Bow Valley need this pass. It is registered to the licence plate. People arriving without a vehicle do not need one, and official exemptions and free days may apply.
$15 daily for one vehicle · $90 yearly for up to three vehicles
Information and prices checked October 21, 2026.
Before you go
Carry an offline map and plan for no service in backcountry areas. Trails close for wildlife, fire, weather and construction. Check the official sources:
Nearby trails
- Tom SnowHard · 12.5 km · 392 m gain · 0.0 km away
- Diamond T LoopEasy · 3.9 km · 136 m gain · 0.0 km away
- 1 Mo' HillEasy · 1.3 km · 46 m gain · 0.8 km away
- Ridgeback R1Easy · 1.5 km · 44 m gain · 0.8 km away
- RiverviewHard · 11.8 km · 475 m gain · 1.1 km away
- MTB: Race of HeartsModerate · 7.7 km · 281 m gain · 1.2 km away
All 5 trails in Elbow River Provincial Recreation Area
Trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL
Government of Alberta, Open Government Licence Alberta
Elevation © Mapterhorn from NRCan HRDEM (Open Government Licence Canada) and Copernicus GLO 30